Real Success: These Fictional Characters All Have Stars On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most iconic monuments to showbiz in the world. Spanning 15 blocks of sidewalks, the Walk of Fame’s 2,600 stars each honor a celebrity who has made a significant achievement in the entertainment industry. From famous actors and actresses to the writers who create movie scripts, the Walk of Fame celebrates a wide range of people who have succeeded at their work. But it turns out that being human isn’t a requirement of earning a star! Here are the fictional characters that have received their very own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

At Last, Minnie Gets Hers

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The beloved Disney character Minnie Mouse received her star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on January 22, 2018. Her character was nearly 90 years old by this time, and many of Minnie’s fans were there to help her celebrate. But a lot of people were left wondering just what had taken so long. Her counterpart Mickey Mouse’s star had been awarded to him back in 1978, an event for which Minnie was even present.

Regardless, she has her star now and the woman who has provided Minnie’s voice for decades said that she believes the adorable mouse would be “absolutely thrilled beyond words” about the honor! Pop star Katy Perry sang at the event. Congrats, Minnie.

Read all about Mickey’s star ceremony next!

Mickey Was First

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Mickey Mouse received his special star on the Walk of Fame in 1978, to celebrate the 50th year anniversary of Steamboat Willie. The short animated cartoon is where he had made his debut. Present to help Mickey receive this prestigious award were friends Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Roy Disney. Roy stood in for his brother Walt Disney, Mickey’s creator. Sadly, Walt passed away in 1966.

The former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello, an original Mickey Mouse Club member, was also at Mickey’s award ceremony to wish him a big congratulations. Mickey was the first cartoon to receive a star on the Walk of Fame — it was a big day for him!

Next: some lucky animals have been awarded with stars!

Rewards For Rin Tin Tin

You don’t have to be human or a cartoon to receive a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame – animals are eligible too. The legendary German Shepherd actor Rin Tin Tin was awarded his star on February 8, 1960. Rin Tin Tin was rescued from the battlegrounds by an American soldier during World War I. The soldier, Lee Duncan, definitely made the right decision to save “Rinty” because the dog went on to star in 27 Hollywood films and become a name known throughout the world.

After the original Rin Tin Tin died, other German Shepherds were used in his place but none of them were quite as successful as he had been.

More celebrity animals coming up!

Godzilla Gets His Day

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Just like Mickey Mouse, Godzilla received a star on the Walk of Fame in honor of his 50th birthday. The event was also a celebration of the giant lizard’s retirement from showbiz. The day, November 29, 2004, was proclaimed “Godzilla Day” by Hollywood’s honorary mayor Johnny Grant. A parade was held in tribute, and Godzilla (actor Tsutomu Kitagawa in a costume) got to walk the red carpet to the premiere of his final film, Godzilla: Final Wars. Fun fact: the very first movie to feature the monster, simply titled Godzilla, was the only one of the franchise to be nominated for a Japanese Academy Award.

The character Godzilla has since come out of retirement.

Now, for a much smaller honoree…

A Big Award For A Small Character

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Tinkerbell, the pixieish beam of light from the beloved Peter Pan books and films, was given her star in 2010. It’s star #2,418, and it’s located on Hollywood Boulevard near the El Capitan Theatre. The event coincided with the DVD release of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. Director Bradley Raymond said that “[a]long with Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell is probably the most recognizable character of all time. She’s been popular from 1953 to now because of that multifaceted character we all fell in love with in ‘Peter Pan.’ … There’s something mysterious about her.”

Which favorite animated family has a star? Find out next!

Eat My Star

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Who doesn’t love the Simpsons family? A lot of people must, as the fictional animated crew received an honorary star on the Walk in 2000. The whole fam was there: Dad Homer, mother Marge, son Bart, and daughters Lisa and Maggie. The Simpsons show has been on the air for 30 years now — no small feat for an animated cartoon! Many of the human actors responsible for voicing the family were present too, including Yeardley Smith and Nancy Cartwright.

Creator Matt Groening also has a star in his honor, which he received in 2012. Producer James L. Brooks got one in 2015.

“What’s Up, Doc?”

Bugs Bunny, the animated Warner Brothers rabbit, also has a star on the Walk. Bugs received his star in 1995, and it’s located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard. The Brooklyn-accented and sassy character was created in 1940 and voiced by Mel Brooks. He has appeared in dozens of films, shorts, TV shows, books, and games in the decades since his first introduction to the public. There’s even an amusement park ride named for him! According to The Guinness Book of World Records, Bugs Bunny “is the ninth most-portrayed film personality in the world.” Wow, no wonder he needed a star of his own!

Maybe It Is Easy Being Green, After All

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Beloved puppet Kermit the Frog was granted a star in 2002, more than 40 years after creator Jim Henson debuted him to the world. Henson, unfortunately, passed away in 1990. He was Kermit’s longtime voice. But other members of the Henson family were present on Kermit’s big day, including Jane Henson, Brian Henson, and Heather Henson. Also there was Kermit’s human costar David Arquette, who appeared with the frog in It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. Puppeteer Steve Whitmire voiced and manipulated Kermit at the ceremony. If you want to visit, the star is located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard.

Good Dog, Lassie

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Most dogs are content with a milk bone or other edible treat to reward a job well done. But screen star Lassie, a Collie, deserved something a little more special than that. She received her star on February 8, 1960. Lassie was known as a heroic dog who repeatedly saved people (especially her beloved buddy Timmy) from all sorts of predicaments. Although several dogs played Lassie over the years, they were all excellent actors and the transition between them was hardly noticeable. In 2005, Vanity Fair called Lassie one of its “100 Icons of the Century.” Lassie’s star is located in the 6300 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

Coming up: some honorees who waited nearly 70 years to receive their star.

And Star # 2,257 Goes To…

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… Donald Duck! The cranky but lovable character with a really distinctive way of talking was awarded a star in 2004, when he was 70 years old. Then-CEO of Disney, Michael Eisner, presented the honor. “He has brought tremendous joy and laughter to people around the world, with his charm and explosive temper-tantrums,” he said. Donald Duck was first introduced to the world in 1934, in a cartoon called “The Wise Little Hen.” His star can be found at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard, in front of El Capitan Entertainment Centre (where Jimmy Kimmel Live is filmed).

No Small Honor For These Legends

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There’s no place like Hollywood for these stars of the classic film The Wizard of Oz. They all played Munchkins and were honored with a star 68 years after the movie was released. That’s quite a wait, but from the proud looks on their faces it must have been worth it. Seven of the nine surviving Munchkins were able to make the trip to California for the event. They all wore costumes in honor of their roles in the film. One of them, Jerry Maren, waved a lollipop and said: “It feels great to be here!”

Another Disney Honor

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Disneyland, aka the Happiest Place on Earth, was opened in July of 1955. Fifty years later, in 2005, the celebrated theme park received an “Award of Excellence” star. It’s not actually part of the Walk of Fame but is adjacent to it. Disneyland’s star features Sleeping Beauty’s castle in the center circle. Disney’s out-going CEO Michael Eisner and incoming CEO Bob Iger both spoke at the ceremony. A number of Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto, were also present. You can visit the Disneyland star at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard.

Ha Ha Ha HA Ha, Ha Ha Ha HA Ha

This animated character might have had the last laugh after all! Here’s Woody Woodpecker receiving his star in 1990. He’s joined by the man who created him, Walter Lentz, who was 90 years old at the time of the ceremony! Lantz was inspired to create the bird during his 1940 honeymoon, when an obnoxious bird kept him and his new bride awake all night. Woody Woodpecker, with his annoying but endearing trademark laugh, is a long-time fan favorite. He was originally voiced by actor Mel Blanc and later by Danny Webb, Kent Rogers, Ben Hardaway and finally by Grace Stafford. Woody’s star is located at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard.

That’s Mr. Pooh To You

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Well, here’s one character who couldn’t be bothered to put on pants for a ceremony marking his induction to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Winnie the Pooh, everyone’s favorite animated bear, received his star in 2006. The character, created by author A.A. Milne in 1926, was 80 years old at the time. Pooh was joined by his good pals Rabbit, Tigger, and Eeyore (who managed to look a little less dejected than usual). Sadly for fans, Pooh’s BFF Piglet stayed home that day. Pooh’s star is located at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard.

Better Than ‘Peanuts’

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In 2015, the lovable beagle Snoopy received his star, to celebrate the release of The Peanuts Movie. Snoopy’s star is located next to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz’s star. Charles Schultz, who passed away in 2000, once said that “Snoopy’s whole personality is a little bittersweet, but he’s a very strong character. He can win or lose, be a disaster, a hero or anything and yet it all works out. I like the fact that when he’s in real trouble, he can retreat into a fantasy and thereby escape.” Schulz’s son Craig was present for the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

Even These Rugrats Got A Star

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To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the kid’s show Rugrats, the main characters were given a star of recognition. This took place in 2001, the same year Steven Spielberg got his star! Costumed versions of the cartoon’s main characters — Tommy, Angelica, and Chuckie — were present to receive their award. The Rugrats star is appropriately located outside a toy and costume shop, at 6600 W. Hollywood Boulevard. This is the only star on the Walk of Fame that a Nickelodeon show has received to date.

A Big Honor For A Big Bird

This character is one of the tallest recipients of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! The iconic Sesame Street favorite Big Bird stands at 8 feet, 2 inches tall. Puppeteer Caroll Spinney has been performing in that giant yellow costume since 1969. Big Bird got his Hollywood star in 1994 and has received lots of other public recognition for his role on Sesame Street: he was featured on a postage stamp in 1999 and made the cover of TIME magazine in 1970. Big Bird’s star is located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard.

There’s A Lot More To This Ogre Than People Think

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The lovable ogre Shrek received his star in 2010, to coincide with the release of his film Shrek Forever After. Jeffrey Katzenberg, the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, presented him with the honor, saying “Having gone from the swamp to a star here on Hollywood Boulevard, I think he truly does represent the great Hollywood dream. Like all great stars who are commemorated on this boulevard, Shrek is now surely and truly part of our culture. He is an ogre for all ages.” The human stars of the Shrek films — Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy — all have Walk of Fame stars of their own.

She Is The Fairest Of Them All

On June 28, 1987, Snow White was awarded her very own star on the Walk of Fame. She had an important place in movie history, as the star of the very first feature-length animated Disney film. The character was voiced by actress Adriana Caselotti. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was so groundbreaking that creator Walt Disney received a specially-designed Oscar for his work (presented to him by child star Shirley Temple). The trophy features one regular-sized Oscar statuette and seven smaller ones representing the dwarves. Snow White’s star is located at 6910 Hollywood Boulevard.

Bravery Rewarded

Strongheart was one of the first canine celebrities. The German Shepherd appeared in four adventure movies during his career, which spanned 1921-1929 (he was famous before Rin Tin Tin). Before becoming a big-shot movie star, Strongheart was called Etzel von Oeringen and was a police dog in Germany. He came to the United States in 1920 and was eventually so famous that there was even a brand of dog food named “Strongheart” after him. Strongheart received his star on the Walk of Fame just days after Lassie and Rin Tin Tin, on February 11, 1960. Fans can visit the site at 1724 Vine.Strongheart received his star on the Walk of Fame just days after Lassie and Rin Tin Tin, on February 11, 1960. Fans can visit at 1724 Vine.